Shifting Out of Park
This vehicle has an electronic shift
lock release system. The shift lock
release is designed to:
•Prevent ignition key removal
unless the shift lever is in
P (Park).
•Prevent movement of the shift
lever out of P (Park), unless the
ignition is in ON/RUN and the
brake pedal is applied.
The shift lock release is always
functional except in the case of an
uncharged or low voltage (less
than 9 volt) battery.
If the vehicle has an uncharged
battery or a battery with low voltage,
try charging or jump starting the
battery. See Shifting Out of Park on
page 8-22 for more information. To shift out of P (Park) use the
following:
1. Apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift lever to the
desired position.
If you still are unable to shift out of
P (Park):
1. Fully release the shift lever.
2. Hold the brake pedal down.
3. Move the shift lever to the desired position.
If you still cannot move the shift
lever from P (Park), consult
your dealer/retailer or a professional
towing service.
Parking
Before you get out of the vehicle,
move the shift lever into R (Reverse),
and firmly apply the parking brake.
Once the shift lever has been placed
into R (Reverse) with the clutch
pedal pressed in, you can turn the
ignition key to LOCK/OFF, remove
the key and release the clutch.
If you are parking on a hill, or if
the vehicle is pulling a trailer, see
Driving Characteristics and Towing
Tips on page 8-44.
8-22 Driving and Operating
Evaporation Pump
The vehicle is equipped with
a vacuum pump for the fuel
evaporation system. This pump
performs a fuel evaporation leakage
test approximately five hours
after the engine is turned off.
You may hear a sound coming
from underneath the rear cargo
compartment for several minutes.
The noise is normal and does not
signify a malfunction. See your
dealer/retailer with any questions.
Parking Over Things
That Burn
{CAUTION
Things that can burn could touch
hot exhaust parts under the
vehicle and ignite. Do not park
over papers, leaves, dry grass,
or other things that can burn.
Engine Exhaust
{CAUTION
Engine exhaust contains Carbon
Monoxide (CO) which cannot be
seen or smelled. Exposure to CO
can cause unconsciousness and
even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
•The vehicle idles in areas
with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow
that may block underbody
airflow or tail pipes).
•The exhaust smells or
sounds strange or different.
•The exhaust system leaks
due to corrosion or damage.(Continued)
CAUTION (Continued)
•The vehicle’s exhaust system
has been modified, damaged
or improperly repaired.
•There are holes or openings
in the vehicle body from
damage or after-market
modifications that are not
completely sealed.
If unusual fumes are detected or if
it is suspected that exhaust is
coming into the vehicle:
•Drive it only with the windows
completely down.
•Have the vehicle repaired
immediately.
Never park the vehicle with the
engine running in an enclosed
area such as a garage or a
building that has no fresh air
ventilation.
Driving and Operating 8-23
Running the Vehicle
While Parked
It is better not to park with the
engine running. But if you ever have
to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION
Idling a vehicle in an enclosed
area with poor ventilation is
dangerous. Engine exhaust may
enter the vehicle. Engine exhaust
contains Carbon Monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled.
It can cause unconsciousness
and even death. Never run the
engine in an enclosed area that
has no fresh air ventilation. For
more information, seeEngine
Exhaust on page 8-23 .
{CAUTION
It can be dangerous to get out
of the vehicle if the automatic
transmission shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have
to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park).
Follow the proper steps to be
sure the vehicle will not move.
See Shifting Into Park on page 8-20 .
If parking on a hill and pulling a
trailer, see Driving Characteristics
and Towing Tips on page 8-44 .
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic Transmission
(Four Speed Automatic)
The shift lever is located on the
console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when you start the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
8-24 Driving and Operating
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have
to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). SeeShifting Into
Park on page 8-20. If you are
pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 8-44. Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control
system. You must fully apply the
regular brake first and move the shift
lever to the right before you can shift
from P (Park) when the ignition key is
in ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever, then push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the
shift lever to the right and move the
shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park on page 8-22
.R (Reverse):
Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse) only
after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock the vehicle back and forth to
get out of snow, ice or sand without
damaging the transmission, see If
the Vehicle is Stuck on page 8-11 .
Driving and Operating 8-25
Automatic Transmission
(Five Speed Automatic)
The shift lever is located on the
console between the seats.
P (Park):This position locks the
front wheels. It is the best position
to use when starting the engine
because the vehicle cannot move
easily.
{CAUTION
It is dangerous to get out of the
vehicle if the shift lever is not fully
in P (Park) with the parking brake
firmly set. The vehicle can roll.
Do not leave the vehicle when the
engine is running unless you have
to. If you have left the engine
running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be
injured. To be sure the vehicle will
not move, even when you are on
fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift
lever to P (Park). See Shifting Into
Park on page 8-20. If you are
pulling a trailer, see Driving
Characteristics and Towing Tips
on page 8-44.
Make sure the shift lever is fully in
P (Park) before starting the engine.
The vehicle has an automatic
transmission shift lock control system. You must fully apply the
regular brake first and move the shift
lever to the right before shifting from
P (Park) while the ignition key is in
ON/RUN. If you cannot shift out of
P (Park), ease pressure on the shift
lever and push the shift lever all the
way into P (Park) as you maintain
brake application. Then move the
shift lever into another gear. See
Shifting Out of Park on page 8-22
.
R (Reverse): Use this gear to
back up.
Notice: Shifting to R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving
forward could damage the
transmission. The repairs would
not be covered by the vehicle
warranty. Shift to R (Reverse)
only after the vehicle is stopped.
To rock your vehicle back and forth
to get out of snow, ice, or sand
without damaging the transmission,
see If the Vehicle is Stuck on
page 8-11.
Driving and Operating 8-27
Brakes
Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
This vehicle has the Antilock Brake
System (ABS), an advanced
electronic braking system that
helps prevent a braking skid.
When the engine is started and the
vehicle begins to drive away, ABS
checks itself. A momentary motor or
clicking noise might be heard while
this test is going on, and it might
even be noticed that the brake pedal
moves a little. This is normal.
If there is a problem with ABS, this
warning light stays on. SeeAntilock
Brake System (ABS) Warning Light
on page 4-17. Let us say the road is wet and you
are driving safely. Suddenly, an
animal jumps out in front of you.
You slam on the brakes and continue
braking. Here is what happens
with ABS:
A computer senses that the wheels
are slowing down. If one of the
wheels is about to stop rolling, the
computer will separately work the
brakes at each wheel.
ABS can change the brake pressure
to each wheel, as required, faster
than any driver could. This can help
the driver steer around the obstacle
while braking hard.
As the brakes are applied, the
computer keeps receiving updates
on wheel speed and controls braking
pressure accordingly.
Remember: ABS does not change
the time needed to get a foot up to
the brake pedal or always decrease
stopping distance. If you get too
close to the vehicle in front of you,
there will not be enough time to apply
the brakes if that vehicle suddenly
slows or stops. Always leave
enough room up ahead to stop,
even with ABS.
Using ABS
Do not pump the brakes. Just hold
the brake pedal down firmly and
let antilock work. The antilock pump
or motor might be heard operating,
and the brake pedal might be
felt to pulsate, but this is normal.
Braking in Emergencies
ABS allows the driver to steer and
brake at the same time. In many
emergencies, steering can help more
than even the very best braking.
United States
Canada
8-32 Driving and Operating
StabiliTrak System
The vehicle has the StabiliTrak
system which combines antilock
brake, traction and stability control
systems. This system automatically
controls the brakes and engine to
help prevent the vehicle from
skidding when cornering on a
slippery road surface or turning
the steering wheel abruptly.
This system activates when the
vehicle speed reaches or exceeds
15 km/h (9 mph), and deactivates
when the vehicle speed reduces to
below 15 km/h (9 mph).
A sound may be heard in the engine
compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just
after the vehicle begins to move.
This means that the system is in
the self-check mode, but does not
indicate a problem.If the vehicle is going to skid during
driving, the traction control system
warning light flashes and an alarm
sounds intermittently. Adjust your
driving accordingly.
To turn off both the traction control
system and StabiliTrak, press and
hold
gwhile the vehicle is stopped.
The traction control system warning
light and the VSC OFF light will come
on. To turn the systems back on,
press
gagain. If both systems are
turned off, they will not turn back on
automatically when vehicle speed
increases.
If the VSC OFF light flashes, there
is a problem in the traction control
system or StabiliTrak.
Driving and Operating 8-35
The tethered fuel cap is located
behind a hinged fuel door on
the driver side of the vehicle.
To remove the fuel cap, turn it slowly
counterclockwise. On some vehicles
you may have to push in while
turning the cap.
While refueling, hang the fuel cap
inside of the fuel door.
When reinstalling the cap, turn it
clockwise until it clicks, otherwise
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp may
turn on. SeeMalfunction Indicator
Lamp on page 4-14.
{CAUTION
Fuel can spray out on you if
you open the fuel cap too quickly.
If you spill fuel and then something
ignites it, you could be badly
burned. This spray can happen if
the tank is nearly full, and is more
likely in hot weather. Open the fuel
cap slowly and wait for any hiss
noise to stop. Then unscrew the
cap all the way.
Be careful not to spill fuel. Do not
top off or overfill the tank and wait a
few seconds after you have finished
pumping before removing the nozzle.
Clean fuel from painted surfaces as
soon as possible. See Exterior Care
on page 9-75.
When replacing the fuel cap, turn
it clockwise until it clicks. Make
sure the cap is fully installed.
The diagnostic system can
determine if the fuel cap has been left off or improperly
installed. This would allow fuel to
evaporate into the atmosphere.
See
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-14.
{CAUTION
If a fire starts while you are
refueling, do not remove the
nozzle. Shut off the flow of fuel
by shutting off the pump or by
notifying the station attendant.
Leave the area immediately.
Notice: If you need a new fuel
cap, be sure to get the right type.
Your dealer/retailer can get one for
you. If you get the wrong type, it
may not t properly. This may
cause the malfunction indicator
lamp to light and may damage the
fuel tank and emissions system.
See Malfunction Indicator Lamp
on page 4-14.
8-42 Driving and Operating